We are going back a day before the previous post since that was on Thanksgiving Day. We had good internet out in Selfoss, but our hostess at the guesthouse has to pay-by-use with her internet service, so I didn't want to burden her with all my photo-heavy posts!
So let's go back in time! Here we are on Wednesday, November 26. We had a very busy morning, starting with a helicopter ride, generously donated by Haukur at Helo Helicopter Service. Haukur was one of the first to kindly offer us something to experience in Iceland. And what a great experience! None of us had ever been in a helicopter, so it was so fun and exciting for all!
Haukur is on the left.
Once we were done with our helicopter ride, we went to Hallgrímskirkja. We had met Auður there on our first day, but we didn't go inside. It's a gorgeous church with a beautiful, unusual design. The statue out front is of Leifur Eiríksson.
You can take an elevator to the top of the church and then climb a flight of stairs to the tippy-top. The view is incredible and we had a gorgeous morning to see it all.
To top off the morning, we were given a very special private tour of Sundlaugin, "the swimming pool." It is now a recording studio where Sigur Rós has recorded and used to wholly own, but it had previously been the town's swimming pool. Another band was recording while we were there, but were on a few days' break.
Here is what started it all for us and Sigur Rós. Kevin loved this image on the cover of their Ágætis Byrjun and so he bought the record based on the cover alone! I guess this is where I say "and the rest is history."
One of Jónsi's shredded cello bows.
Sigur Rós master tapes.
Kari, our wonderful personal tour guide and the first person we met from the Sigur Rós organization, is on the left. Harry is the super nice guy on the right. He also works at Abbey Road Studios. I said to him, "That must be awfully nice to say: that you also work at Abbey Road!" He heartily agreed. He knows how very lucky he is!
We went inside the studio in the snow...
And we came out in the sunshine. Such is the weather in Iceland!
Bench face. We aren't sure if he's Happy Bench Face or Meh Bench Face.
The woolen mill at Álafoss.
Holy jeez, that was a jam-packed day! That afternoon we went to stay outside Selfoss, at the guesthouse Höfðatún. We couldn't find it, it was a long ride in the dark (not so long when you know when you're going, but long for us!), and out in the country, finding someone who speaks English well enough to help is not as easily found as in the city! But we found it. A lovely house, very cozy, and decorated for Christmas, tree and all.
Next post: Waterfalls!
